Studying in China vs. South Africa
China and South Africa are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €552 in China and €588 in South Africa.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
South Africa
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
South Africa
Side-by-side comparison
China
South Africa
Currency
CNY (¥)
ZAR (R)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,302 / yr
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,715 / yr
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €552 / mo
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.